A Call for Tolerance: Homa Bay Civil Society Leaders Demand an End to Political Violence

Some Homa Bay civil society leaders have urged politicians in the county to embrace tolerance to curb political violence. The members of Homa Bay County Bunge La Wananchi said they do not want to see violence when Linda Mwananchi politicians come to the county. Linda Mwananchi brigades are expected to hold their political rallies in Homa Bay County on August 26, 2026.

The call for peace comes in the wake of a violent incident that has shaken the community and raised urgent questions about the state of political discourse in the region. On Tuesday, Homa Bay coordinator of the Linda Mwananchi Movement, Samuel Nyauke, human rights defender Evance Oloo Gor, and two other men were injured by youths. Their assault by youths is linked to their affiliation with the movement. The incident caused a protest that led to the destruction of goods and other property belonging to the business community in Homa Bay town.

The Incident That Sparked Outrage

The attack on Nyauke, Gor, and their colleagues was more than just an isolated act of violence; it was a symptom of a deeper problem. The injured men were targeted simply because of their political affiliation, a chilling reminder that in some parts of the country, political differences are still settled with fists, stones, and hired goons.

The subsequent protest, which saw the destruction of business property, underscored the far-reaching consequences of political violence. Innocent traders, many of them women running small businesses, lost their goods and livelihoods. The ripple effects will be felt for months, if not years.

A Plea for Tolerance

On Saturday, the civil society members, led by their speaker Imran Owino, spokesperson Evance Oloo Gor, attorney Michael Kojo, and Secretary-General Lawrence Omoro, said the violence can only be curbed if politicians embrace tolerance and respect others' democratic rights.

Owino said the Constitution of Kenya allows every politician to access any part of the country to sell their policies. He said it is wrong for some politicians to hire goons to prevent their colleagues from addressing residents of any county in Nyanza.

“We have witnessed violence on people linked to the Linda Mwananchi Movement in Homa Bay. Democracy allows Kenyans to associate with any political grouping so long as it is approved by law,” Owino said.

His words carry weight. The Constitution guarantees freedom of association and movement, yet these rights are being systematically undermined by politicians who view their opponents as enemies to be silenced rather than competitors to be debated.

The Role of Politicians in Fueling Violence

Speaking to journalists in Kendu Bay town, the civil society leaders said it was wrong for some politicians to hire goons to attack their opponents despite their freedom of association and movement. He told youths to avoid being used by politicians to cause chaos.

“Let youths keep off the enmity between politicians because politicians don't fight each other physically and their enmity is temporary. The people who bear the brunt of violence are the youth,” he said.

This is a critical point. Political violence rarely harms the politicians themselves. They have security, resources, and the ability to retreat to safety. It is the youth, often unemployed, marginalized, and desperate, who are recruited to do the dirty work. They are the ones who face arrest, injury, and even death. And when the political dust settles, they are left to pick up the pieces.

Kojo challenged political leaders to be role models in political tolerance in the county. “The multiparty democracy can't be actualised if we don't embrace political tolerance. Political leaders should be tolerant to one another to enable us to have peace in Homa Bay,” Kojo said.

The Economic Cost of Violence

Omoro urged leaders to embrace politics that promotes development. “We appeal to our political leaders to promote peace because development cannot be achieved when violence mars our county,” Omoro said.

Gor said political violence was jeopardising business in Homa Bay. He expressed concerns that many traders lost their goods during the violence on Tuesday. “Massive looting took place in which many women lost their goods during the violence, and they need to be compensated. I urge politicians to condemn the violence,” Gor said.

The economic impact cannot be overstated. When violence erupts, markets close, customers stay home, and traders lose their livelihoods. For women, who make up a significant portion of small-scale traders, the losses are particularly devastating. Many of them are the primary breadwinners for their families, and the destruction of their goods can push them further into poverty.

A Call for Government Action

Gor urged Ministry of Interior officials to boost security in Homa Bay. He warned that failure to respond positively may force residents to protect themselves against goons. “The government [needs] to protect the people of Homa Bay from goons. Failure to do so may force civilians to take care of their own security but we don't want to take that direction,” he said.

This warning is significant. When citizens lose faith in the government's ability to protect them, they may take matters into their own hands a development that could lead to even more violence and instability. The government must act decisively to restore confidence in law enforcement and prevent future attacks.

The events in Homa Bay are not isolated. Across Kenya, political violence has become a recurring feature of the electoral cycle. Politicians hire goons, youth are radicalized, and communities are torn apart all in the name of politics.

But it doesn't have to be this way. As the civil society leaders have made clear, political tolerance is not a weakness; it is a strength. Democracy thrives when different voices are heard, debated, and respected. It withers when opponents are silenced through violence and intimidation.

A Way Forward

The civil society leaders have outlined a clear path forward: politicians must embrace tolerance, youth must refuse to be used as weapons, and the government must provide adequate security. But these are not just words—they require action.

• Politicians must lead by example, condemning violence and encouraging peaceful political engagement.

• Youth must resist the temptation to be used as pawns in political rivalries, recognizing that their future depends on peace, not chaos.

• The government must strengthen security and ensure that those who commit violence are held accountable.

• The business community must be supported in recovering from the losses incurred during political violence.

The call for tolerance in Homa Bay is not just about preventing violence it is about building a society where democracy can thrive. As the Linda Mwananchi brigades prepare to hold their rallies, the eyes of the nation will be on the county. Will politicians rise to the occasion and demonstrate true leadership? Or will they continue to use violence as a tool of political suppression?

The answer lies in the choices they make today. The circus of Kenyan politics is always evolving, but the show must not come at the expense of peace and development. As Owino said, "Democracy allows Kenyans to associate with any political grouping so long as it is approved by law." It is time for politicians to respect that principle not just in words, but in action.